Morgan vows to take his second chance

NEW signing Dean Morgan has vowed not to waste the second chance he has been given and prove he can be a footballing success.

The talented midfielder was recently released by Second Division Colchester after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

It followed a few undisclosed off-field problems after he missed a couple of training sessions, having had to contend with travelling up to Layer Road from his London base.

However, the 20-year-old insists he has learned from any past mistakes and is determined to show Royals were right in giving him another opportunity.

The midfield ace said: "I have learned a lot since being at Colchester. A lot happened there, but I think it is about trust - you have to trust people.

"What happened there won't happen again. I had two or three months out of football because of injury and leaving Colchester and that's when I realised I was too good not to be in the game.

"Lots of people were telling me that, but I knew it myself and that's why I have worked doubly hard over the last few weeks.

"I've been happy with the way things have gone here and I'm determined to go from strength to strength. I've settled in well and I'm moving into my digs in Reading."

There is no doubting Morgan's ability. His quick feet and pinpoint crossing can cause the best of defences problems.

And such is his natural ability he was invited to go to Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur for a trial shortly after being released by the U's.

Glamour club Chelsea also showed interest in the midfield/striker.

Morgan, who was born on the doorstep of Spurs, joined a couple of the north London club's training sessions, but any chances of earning a deal were seriously scuppered by the sacking of Glenn Hoddle.

He also had to contend with the recurrence of a thigh injury.

Morgan added: "I injured the kicking muscle in my right thigh during pre-season at Colchester and then when I left I went to Tottenham on trial.

"But I tore the muscle again and then Glenn Hoddle was sacked. It was a difficult situation. There was a strange atmosphere in training.

"David Pleat (Spurs caretakers boss) then said he couldn't make a decision because of what had happened and the fact there was no manager, but then I came to Reading."

Morgan impressed during his trial game for Royals when he netted a fabulous goal in the reserves' 3-2 win over his former club.

And he has told manager Steve Coppell he is ready for the first team if needed and is desperate to earn a long-term contract.

"It's just a matter of me getting involved in the first team, doing as much as I can and proving I'm good enough for a longer contract," said Morgan. "I'm confident I can play in this league and I'm ready to play in the first team tomorrow if needed.

"But it's not my decision, it's the manager's, and if he wants me I'm ready for my chance."